The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) announced today the dates and locations for their 2018 Rigger Awareness Training Courses. Twelve courses will be hosted nationwide and will be offered free of charge to attendees due to a Susan Harwood Training Grant (SH-31235-SH7) from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
Throughout 2018, NATE is planning to host these complimentary, grant-enabled training sessions in Hartford, Conn.; Nashville, Tenn; Orlando, Fla.; Eagan, Minn.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; Malvern, Penn.; Charlotte, N.C.; Louisville, Ky.; Detroit, Mich.; Lakewood, Colo. and Irving, Tex.
The industry-specific Rigger Awareness Course curriculum will be focused on introducing workers and employers to rigging terminology, rigging equipment and proper use, rigging inspections, rigging related hazards, crane signals and industry reference materials/standards. The training is organized into six sections that include the following subject topics:
- Section 1: Introduction to NATE and OSHA
- Section 2: State of the Industry
- Section 3: Construction Planning, Stakeholders and Resources
- Section 4: Anatomy of a Rigging Plan
- Section 5: Lift Systems, Forces and Equipment Components
- Section 6: Executing the Rigging Plan
The training will also include information regarding employee and employer rights and responsibilities under the OSH Act of 1970, whistleblower complaint procedures and protection provisions.
Richard Cullum (left) of Crown Castle International and Justin Huggins, Enertech Resources, LLC
“Rigging is an essential element of communication tower work, yet deficiencies still exist when it comes to the use of proper rigging procedures at tower sites,” stated NATE Curriculum Development Committee Member Richard Cullum from Crown Castle. “The Rigger Awareness Training Program presents a practical application of the rigging requirements that we believe will have a significant positive impact on worker safety and quality,” added Cullum.
“I would encourage all industry employees and employers interested in participating in the Rigger Awareness Training sessions to register soon as interest in the program is in high demand,” said NATE Curriculum Development Committee Member Justin Huggins from Enertech Resources, LLC.
Interested participants should complete the accompanying Rigger Awareness registration forms for the training location in their region on the Association’s 2018 Worker Training Course website page.